The Finish Line Kiss - Lando Norris

✦˚₊‧⁺˖ chapter 7 ˖⁺‧₊˚✦

⊹★⋆💋｡°⋆✮🏎️✮⊹★🏁⋆｡ °⋆

Zoe stepped off the plane, adjusting her sunglasses as the warm Italian sun greeted her. She pulled her carry-on behind her, weaving through the bustling airport crowd. Even though she'd flown countless times before, there was something comforting about this arrival. This wasn't work. This was something else entirely.

As she made her way toward the arrivals area, she spotted him instantly. Lando was standing near the exit, his cap pulled low and his hands stuffed in the pockets of his hoodie. He was trying to blend in, but his energy gave him away, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet, glancing around every few seconds.

When their eyes met, his face broke into a wide grin.

"There she is," he called out, his voice loud enough to turn a few heads.

Zoe laughed, shaking her head as she walked toward him. "What are you doing standing out here like this? Don't you have, I don't know, a million more important things to do?"

"Priorities, Merritt," Lando replied, grabbing her suitcase as they hugged briefly. "Besides, if I left you to navigate on your own, you'd probably end up in the wrong country."

She rolled her eyes, smirking. "I'm not that bad."

"Sure you're not," he teased, leading her toward the car waiting outside. "Anyway, you're here now. That's what matters."

As they stepped outside, the noise of the airport faded into the buzz of the city beyond. Zoe took a deep breath, already feeling the excitement of the weekend ahead.

"So," she said as they reached the car, "what's the plan? Straight to the track, or do I get to relax for five seconds?"

Lando opened the door for her, grinning. "You've got time to settle in. What's left of today is free"

"Can't wait," she said, sliding into the seat.

As Zoe settled into the passenger seat, she noticed Lando sliding into the driver's seat. She raised an eyebrow.

"You're driving? Seriously?" she asked, watching as he adjusted his seat and started the car.

"What? I'm a great driver," he replied, shooting her a playful look as he shifted into gear.

"On the track, sure. But this isn't a Formula 1 car, mate," she teased, clicking her seatbelt into place.

Lando laughed, pulling out of the airport and onto the main road. "Relax, Merritt. I promise to keep it under 200."

She smirked, leaning back in her seat. "If I die before the Grand Prix, I'm haunting you."

The car ride was comfortable, the kind of easy silence punctuated by bursts of conversation that came naturally with their friendship. Zoe gazed out of the window, taking in the rolling hills and picturesque streets of Emilia Romagna. It was such a contrast to the chaos of her tour stops, and she found herself feeling grateful for the change of pace.

"So," Lando said, breaking the quiet, "did you finally get some actual rest, or were you up all night writing songs again?"

"Some rest," Zoe admitted. "Also caught up with Charlie and Matt. You know, normal human things."

Lando nodded, his eyes fixed on the road but his expression amused. "I'm shocked. I figured you'd spend your break setting up a mini recording studio or something."

"Tempting," she joked, "but even I need a break sometimes."

They stopped at a red light, and Lando glanced at her, a soft smile on his face. "Glad you're here, Z. It's been a while since I've had someone around who isn't just talking strategy and tires."